John Boehner nervously eyes the clock

John Boehner nervously eyes the clock

Posted by Greg Sargent

John Boehner held a presser in the Capitol just now, to press the message that there has been no progress in the fiscal cliff talks, and that Boehner’s plan — proposed last week — tosses the ball back into Obama’s court. It’s unclear what this presser accomplished for him. He resembled nothing so much as a football coach nervously eying the clock with time running out — with his team losing and no new set of plays to run.

Here’s what Boehner said:

This isn’t a progress report because there’s no progress to report. <...>

The President wants to raise tax rates. But even if the President got the tax hike rate that he wanted, understand that we could continue to see trillion dollar deficits for as far as the eye can see. Washington’s got a spending problem, not a revenue problem. If the president doesn’t agree with our proposal, I believe that he’s got an obligation to families and small businesses to offer a plan of his own — a plan that can pass both chambers of the Congress. <...>

When is he going to take a step towards us?

Assuming the idea here was to inject the GOP’s version of events into the bloodstream in advance of the weekend, what exactly did this accomplish? Boehner said the talks are going nowhere. Fine, but polls show that majorities blame the GOP for the failure to reach a compromise. Boehner said that “Washington’s got a spending problem, not a revenue problem.” Okay, but the American people disagree: Polls consistently show that a majority wants a mix of spending cuts and tax hikes to solve our fiscal problems. The public understands that, yes, to some degree, we do have a revenue problem.

Boehner said Obama has an obligation to offer a plan that can pass both Houses of Congress. But even some Republicans, such as Reps. Tom Cole and Tim Scott — believe that extending just the middle class tax cuts — which Obama is demanding — could pass the House. Boehner has this option; it’s on him if he isn’t taking it.

1. And crying? (nt)

2. Everything the GOP leadership says is a bluff

I haven't heard them tell the truth or anything that doesn't sound like bluff since President Obama was elected the first time. The GOP leadership in both houses are fucking scared to death of the teabag party.

4. Just Remember This.....

5. But Mr. Grim Weeper, Obama isn't "obligated" to do SHIT.

The 98% isn't going to blame Obama if their taxes go up -- there's a deficit going on, and it's you and your party that created it. In other words, Obama wins no matter what he does...up to and including doing NOTHING.

8. Boner Is Cornered...

This dude is one shitty poker player. He's "telling" all over the place.

It's apparent he doesn't have enough support on his side to pass any kind of tax cuts on the upper 2% and if he dares to patch together the 25 "moderates"; along with the Democrats to pass making the cuts for 98% permanent, he'll face a rebellion in his caucus. His tenure will be over.

But...he also knows that the President and the Democrats are focused and unified on the cuts...and they'll let that go over the cliff which removes any remaining leverage Boner has in preserving any of the cuts to the rich. They're definitely breathing down his neck to get something done. So he's damned if he does and damned if he doesn't. His membership in the teabag caucus vs. his membership at the posh country club with his deep pocket buddies?

Boner knows he's got a lame hand...he's losing in public opinion and knows he can only bluff so long. He's trying to stretch it out in hopes of making time stand still...

14. What's Beautiful Here...

...is Boner and his ilk were so short-sighted last year in agreeing to the deal that had these triggers...hoping that President Obama would be defeated and the dubya cuts would be made permanent and even "enhanced". He agreed to a deal that he didn't think about what would happen if President Obama had won...what a fool.

BTW...I think if the old inheritance tax rules go back in play, the taxes kick in after the first $500 or $750k. There's a lot of nervous sperm lottery jackpot winners out there who are nervous.